Clermont 23-48 Leinster: Sheehan double leads commanding second-half response

Dan Sheehan scored twice as Leinster overturned a half-time deficit to open their Champions Cup campaign with a 48–23 victory at Clermont Auvergne.

Leo Cullen’s side scored seven tries at Stade Marcel-Michelin, with Tadhg Furlong, Sam Prendergast, Jack Conan and Tommy O’Brien also crossing alongside a penalty try.

Prendergast contributed 16 points as Leinster turned a closely contested opening half into a convincing away win.

Clermont 23-48 Leinster: Hosts edge first-half contest

Furlong gave Leinster an early lead, finishing after an offload from Fintan Gunne, before two Harry Plummer penalties brought Clermont within a point.

Sheehan then punished a disrupted Clermont lineout, reacting quickest to the loose ball for Leinster’s second try.

However, Joris Jurand’s converted score put the hosts ahead. Both fly-halves added penalties before the interval, with Plummer’s third successful penalty giving Clermont a 16–15 half-time advantage.

Prendergast sparks Leinster’s second-half surge

Prendergast produced the turning point shortly after the restart.

Starting deep inside his own territory, the fly-half broke through before kicking towards Jimmy O’Brien. The winger gathered and returned the ball inside for Prendergast to finish a move he had started.

Leinster then increased the pressure through their forwards. A penalty try followed repeated scrum infringements, with Clermont prop Nohem Ez Zahouany sent to the sin-bin.

Sheehan completed his double from a driving maul, helping establish a 20-point lead.

Mathys Belaubre replied for Clermont, but Conan and Tommy O’Brien added further tries to complete Leinster’s scoring.

Conan went off injured after scoring, while Joey Carbery came on for Prendergast to make his first Leinster appearance since 2018.

Cullen praises set-piece work

Cullen highlighted Leinster’s disruption of Clermont’s lineout and identified their penalty try from the scrum as an important moment.

“We stole a lot of their lineouts, which was great,” he told Premier Sports.

He also offered condolences to the family of Hyron Andrews and everyone connected with the Lions following the forward’s death on Friday.

Leinster return to United Rugby Championship action against Munster next weekend.

Our rugby on TV guide has the coverage details for the remaining European fixtures.